Archive for: Gratitude

Growing up in my family we rarely expressed gratitude to each other – or any other positive feelings for that matter. It was the old school of family relationships – children should be seen and not heard. Adults don’t share feelings with children. I’m sure we felt gratitude. I know I did. When I came home from school to find my new Brownie uniform with beanie and red plastic purse. When my mother didn’t yell at me for having a temper tantrum and slamming a door so hard the glass shattered. When she bought me a typewriter (yes, I am that old) the Christmas before I left for college. I know I probably thanked my mother in some way. Excitement for the uniform – a sheepish little smile for the smashed glass – a hug for my Christmas present. But I’m not sure any of those times really qualify as…

My friend, Asya Ivanova, a wonderful poet, lost her father recently. I’d like to share this beautiful poem she wrote in his honor: FATHER 1 In the dark of a November evening We were heading home— My father and I After visiting his friend When we approached the old cemetery I asked my father to carry me He picked me up into his arms and asked —What are you afraid of? —The dead people,—I answered honestly —But there is no need to be afraid of them,— My father explained softly and solemnly —It is some of the living people You should be aware of But the dead can do you no harm… And so powerful my father’s words were That I learned to love that old cemetery I explored it every corner That ancient town of ghosts With its narrow streets And tiny homes— The briefest life story of its…

Thanksgiving is right around the corner now. Friends and families are planning and gathering for the day. Is it going to be turkey, or goose, or maybe we’ll even try turducky! How many side dishes this year? Remember last year we forgot the broccoli! Do we really have to have candied yams and mashed potatoes and stuffing? Who’s going to make the pumpkin pie? Thanksgiving is a time of gathering and feasting together, of watching the Macy’s parade and sports on TV. It’s the beginning of the holiday season that will slide us through to New Year’s Day. A race to the finish line of another whirlwind of a year. And of course, a time to come together to give thanks. Like the pilgrims did at Plymouth Rock. For the bountiful harvest, as the story goes. But what if we wash up on the shore of a Thanksgiving facing a…

“Your Self is continually trying to tell you that you are beautiful, happy and have nothing to fear.” -Bruce M. Di Marsico from The Myth of Unhappiness, Vol. 1 Enjoy the full chapter by clicking Doubts, Signs and Rituals.

People become unhappy by choice, belief, or judgment. They make a choice of what they’re going…

People become unhappy by choice, belief, or judgment. They make a choice of what they’re going to believe. If they choose to believe it is good, they will feel good. If they choose to believe it is bad, they feel bad. Why am I using the word “choice”? It’s the only thing in life that you can absolutely be sure is not happening to you.